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2:00 p.m.
Providence College Athletics
Friars To Team With Hoops For Stars
12/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2008
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Approximately 1,500 middle school students will help Providence College and the National Grid Foundation kick off the first year of the "Hoops for the Stars" program. The program uses positive reinforcement, recognition of success and awards for academic performance, highlighting the shared commitment by Providence College and the National Grid Foundation. Hoops For The Stars is an exciting and unique initiative designed to promote new opportunities for solutions to adverse educational issues in the greater Providence area.
Through a grant from the National Grid Foundation, Providence College will provide 3000 tickets to the Hoops For The Stars program for students and their parents to use during mutually agreed upon games during the 2008-09 Men's Basketball season. The recipients of the tickets will have to demonstrate a documented improvement in the classroom by using criteria that is focused on academic performance. The criteria are set as follows: appreciable increase in attendance, dramatic decrease in negative behavior, significant contribution to the community--all of which has proven to enhance academic progress.
This program will identify and assist the most deserving middle schools in the greater Providence area. With the help of the Rhode Island School Department, 10 schools will be chosen, their achievement monitored, and high performing students and their guardians will be rewarded with tickets to games in the 2008-09 Men's Basketball season.
"This is a great incentive for the thousands of Providence Public Schools' elementary and middle school students working hard within the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program," said Superintendent Tom Brady. "The PBIS program encourages citizenship and behavior that supports academic achievement for all students, the chance to spend a few hours out at a PC basketball game with classmates and parents and is a special experience to reward that good behavior."
"We are thrilled to partner in an effort to encourage children from the community to excel in school and to celebrate their achievements by enjoying a game," said Bob Keller, Executive Director, National Grid Foundation.
Hoops For The Stars will not only encourage students to achieve their academic goals but will also stress the importance of community and higher education as a real option for Providence's middle school students. And this program will receive great visibility across media outlets--hopefully inspiring other schools in the community to get involved.
"Providence College is proud to be partnered with the National Grid Foundation and the Hoops for the Stars program," Providence College Athletics Director Bob Driscoll said. "By rewarding these students with an opportunity to see some of the best collegiate athletes compete and achieve at a high level, we believe they can see the type of dedication, commitment and hard work that goes into being a successful student-athlete. These characteristics are what young students will need as they move forward in their lives."
Through the combined efforts of Providence College and the National Grid Foundation, Hoops for the Stars will be able to make a difference in students' lives and foster a mindset of achievement and continued success.
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Saturday, April 13
